Folding tables and wall supports therefor



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 16, 1960 J. 5. HOMME FOLDING TABLES AND WALL SUPPORTS THEREFOR Filed March 17, 1958 N N k II-liSlIlnu'Ini INVENTOR Jo/1 f Ham/we BY QM mfimm ATTORNEY Aug. 16, 1960 v I J. E. HOMME' FOLDING TABLES AND WALL SUPPORTS THEREFOR Filed March 17, 1958 I 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

INVENTOR John [Q flamma ATTORNEY J. E. HOMME FOLDING TABLES AND WALL SUPPORTS THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 17, 1958 INVENTOR Ja/m f. flomme BY Qifi ATTORNEY United States Patent W FGLDING TABLES AND WALL SUPPORT THEREFOR John E. Hormne, St. Paul, Minn., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Hamilton Manufacturing Company, Two Rivers, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Mar. 17, 195s, Ser. No. 721,732 13 Claims. (Cl.155124) This invention relates to an improvement in folding tables and wall supports therefor and deals particularly with a table which is normally enclosed Within a cabinet or wall recess.

For many years foldable tables have been produced for use in schools, churches, banquet balls and the like and which are so constructed as to be normally concealed within a built-in wall recess or within a cabinet. Tables of this type are particularly useful in locations where the room in which the tables are located is used for various purposes. In some instances, these tables have been so constructed as to remain permanently attached to the wall recess or cabinet. In certain other instances, however, the tables have been constructed so that when they are unfolded, they may be detached from the cabinet or recess and moved to a suitable location. When they have been detachable in this manner, they have ordinarily been provided wit-h latches which engage in slides and which are somewhat diflicult to operate when the table is in place.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a table and bench combination which is normally concealed within a cabinet and which is detachably associated therewith. Vertically extending guides are provided in the cabinet or recess and the table is provided wit-h rollers projecting from the end of the table top engageable with these guides. The table may be disconnected from the cabinet or recess by merely lifting the connected end slightly and. rolling the table away from the way, the rollers being lifted above the tops of the guides. j

A further feature of the present invention resides in a novel type of locking means for retaining the table and bench assembly in the wall. connected to the wall by the rollers projectingfrom the end of the table. When the two parts of the table are folded into vertical parallel relationship, a latch is provided which automatically connects the two sections in this position and holds the parts from unfolding. As a result, the entire table is held in position in the wall or cabinet recess. The benches function in a similar manner.

.A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel means of disengaging the lock so: that the table and. bench units may be removed. Each of the automatic latches includes an operating lever which extends laterally to an edge of the table. A mechanism is provided in the frame of the cabinet or receptacle,by means of which this lever may be operated. By operation of this mechanism, the table may be unlatched and in some instances the mechanism may act to partially withdraw the table from the recess so that it may be grasped by the hands for-unfolding. 7

A further feature of the present invention-resides in the fact that the mechanism used for unlatching the table and bench unitmaybe mounted in a portion of the frame lying between the table and the benches. One

One side of the table is such mechanism may be actuated to unlatch either the lCe table or the adjoining bench. The other such mechanism is operable to unlatch the other of the benches. As a result, the unlatching mechanism is supported in fixed relation in the frame of the device and does not form a part of the table.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the table unlatching mechanism may be arranged substantially flush with the outer surface of one of the table tops and may be equipped with a socket into which a handle may be inserted. The unlatching mechanism may be operated by this handle when it is inserted into the socket. With this arrangement the tables and benches are normally locked in their cabinets or recesses and cannot be removed by any unauthorized persons.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the foldable table in partially unfolded position showing the general arrangement of parts therein.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the table and bench assembly when in folded position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the table in folded condition thereof.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through a portion of the folded table and bench assembly showing the latch releasing mechanism and the latches.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of an end of the latch, the position of the section being indicated by the line 55 of Figure 4. v

Figure 6 is a sectional view, the position of the section being indicated by the line 66 of Figure 4. I

Figure 7 is a sectional view through a portion of the apparatus, the position of the section being indicated by the line 7--7 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is an enlarged front elevational view of the socket into which the operating handle is inserted.

Figure 9 is an elevation View of the operating handle used in conjunction with the socket shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a vertical section through a portion of the unlatching mechanism.

Figure 11 is an elevational view of one of the benches in partially folded position.

Figure 12 is an elevational view of the central leg unit and its supporting members.

As the details of construction of the table are not of utmost importancein the present application, these details have to a large extent been eliminated from the drawings. The table is indicated in general by the letter A and includes a pair of table top sections 10 and 11 which are pivotally connected together at 12. The table' tops are supported by a central leg unit 13 which is connected to the table top section adjacent the point of hinge 12 and by a pair of spaced leg sections 14 and 15 which are pivotally connected to the table tops near the free ends thereof as indicated at 16 and 17. A pair of braces are provided for the end leg sections, one

brace 19 being pivotally connected at 20 to the leg unit by links to the table tops 11 and 10 at points spaced from the hinge point 12. As this structure is not important to the present invention, it is not disclosed in detail. i j

The centerleg unit 13 is held in vertical relation by means of a slidable collar 25 which is connected The table A is stored within a central recess 26 in a cabinet 27 which may project from the wall or may be built into the wall. The cabinet 27 also includes a pair of bench recesses 29 and 30 which are spaced laterally from the central recess 26. As indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings, the cabinet 27 may include a rear wall panel 31. The bench recesses 29 are shown as having a lining panel 32 having a forwardly extending flange 33 which terminates in a right angularly turned flange 34 forming a front surface of the cabinet frame. A hollow enclosure is formed by a channel member having a base portion 35 at right angles to the rear wall 31 and having a pair of parallel flanges 36 and 37 which lie in surface contact with the panel 31 and the flange 34 respectively. This structure forms a hollow post 39 on either side of the central table compartment 26 to hold the lock releasing mechanism which will be later described in detail.

The table latch mechanism is constructed as is best indicated in Figrue 4 of the drawings. A bell crank lever 40 is pivotally supported at 41 to an angle bracket 42 secured to the under surface of the table top 11. A spring encircles the pivot 41 and engages an end of the lever 40, a portion of the spring being indicated at 43. One end 44 of the bell crank lever 40 is notched as indicated at 45. An angle bracket 46 is secured to the under surface of the table top 10 and includes a reversely turned flange 47 engageable in the notch when the table top sections are in upright parallel relation.

An angle member 49 is secured to the under surface of the table top 11 and is apertured as indicated at 50 to permit the arm 51 of the bell crank lever 40 to extend therethrough. The purpose of the angle bracket 49 is merely to limit the pivotal movement of the bell crank lever and to guide its movement.

A lever 52 is pivotally connected at 53 to a bracket 54 secured to the under surface of the table top 11. A longitudinally elongated slot 55 is provided in the lever 52 to accommodate a pin 56 on the bell crank lever arm 51. Pivotal movement of the lever 52 also acts through the pin 56 to pivot the bell crank lever. V

The table top sections are encircled by rectangular metal frames formed of channel iron with the bases of the channel vertical when the table tops are in horizontal position. One such channel frame 57 is provided beneath the table top 10 and a similar rectangular frame 59 is provided beneath the table top 11. A side of the frame 59 is provided with an aperture 60 through which an end of the lever 52 extends. The lever 52 terminates in a right angularly turned extremity 58.

A cylindrical bearing 61 extends through the flanges 37 and 34 forming a part of the enclosure 39. A mounting flange 62 is provided at one end of the bearing 61. A generally J-shaped rod 63 is slidably supported in the bearing 61. A spring 64 encircles a portion of the rod 63 between an abutment 65 on the rod and the end of the bearing 61. The outer end of the rod 63 is enlarged to provide a shoulder limiting inward movement of the rod. A pin 66 extends through the rod outwardly of the shoulder. The rod 63 is reversely bent at 67 to include a forwardly extending portion 69 which terminates in a right angularly turned extremity 70.

A handle 71 comprises a T-shaped element having a hollow shank 72 and a cross member 73 by means of which the shank may be turned. The end of the handle shank 72 includes a pair of longitudinally extending diametrically opposed slots 7 4 which terminate in a transversely extending slot 75. The slots 74 and 75 are designed to accommodate the pin 66. By inserting the handle so that the pin 66 passes through the slot 74, the handle may be rotated so that the pin engages in one end or the other of the slot 75. When in this latter position, the rod 63 may be pulled forwardly.

As is indicated in Figure 7 of the drawings, the panel 35 of the enclosure 39 is provided with angular slot 76 which includes anupwardly and forwardly extending portion 77 and a substantially horizontally extending portion 79. The lower portion of the slot 77 is in registry with the angularly turned end 70 of the rod 63 in normal position of the rod. By rotating the handle 71 in a proper position, the end 70 of the rod may be caused to pass through the portion 77 of the slot 76. The edge of slot acts as a cam to guide the arm end 70 forwardly as the rod is rotated. This causes the rod to engage against the extremity 58 of the lever 52 to pivot this lever in a clockwise direction. Clockwise movement of the lever 52 causes counterclockwise motion of the bell crank lever 40 thus causing the notched end of this lever to be dis engaged from the locking flange 47 of the bracket or angle member 46. A forward pull upon the handle when the rod is in this position will compress the spring 64 and cause the forward section 11 of the table to be withdrawn to some extent from the recess 26. Thus, the handle may be used not only to unlatch the table but also to draw it forwardly so that it may be engaged and removed from its recess.

As is indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings the flange 33 of the enclosure 39 is provided with an angular slot 80 which is similar in shape and outline to the slot 77 previously described. As is also indicated in Figrue 4, the handle shank 63 may be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction so that the end 70 will extend through the slot 80 as is indicated in dotted outline in Figure 4. The purpose of this arrangement is to unlock one of the benches which normally fills the recess 30 when in stored position.

As is indicated in Figure 11 of the drawings, the benches operate in much the same manner as the table A. The benches which are indicated in general by the letter B include an inner section 80 and an outer section 81 which is hingedly connected to the end of the section A at the point 82. A supporting leg 83 is pivotally connected at 84 to the undersurface of the section 80 near the outer extremity thereof and a similar leg section 85 is pivotally connected to the section 81 at the point 86. The pivotal connections 84 and 86 are properly spaced from the ends of the benches so that the ends of the benches will substantially touch the floor when the two sections are folded into parallel relation.

A brace 87 is hingedly connected at 89 to the leg unit 83 and is pivotally connected at its other end at 90 to the undersurface of the bench section 81 at a point spaced from the hinge 82 between the two sections. A similar brace 91 is pivotally connected to the leg unit 85 at 92 and is pivotally connected at its other end at 93 to the undersurface of the bench section 80. These braces 87 and 91 are similar to the braces 19 and 22 previously described. A central leg unit 94 is hingedly connected between the two sections at substantially the pivot point 82 therebetween. A collar 95 is slidably supported on a vertical member of the leg unit 94 and this collar is pivotally connected at 96 and 97 to arms 99 and 100 respectively. The other ends of these arms are connected at 101 and 102 to the bench sections 80 and 81. The purpose of this arrangement is merely to hold the center leg units erect.

As is indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings, a rectangular channel shaped frame 103 is secured to underlie the bench section 80 and a similar rectangular frame 104 is secured to underlie the bench section 81. An angle bracket 105 having a reversely turned terminal flange 106 is secured to the undersurface of the bench section 80 and angle 'bracekt 107 is secured to the undersurface of the bench section 81 and pivotally supports a bell crank lever 109. One end 110 of this lever extends at substantially right angles to the surface of the section 81 and is notched as indicated at 111 to accommodate the latching flange 106. A spring 112 normally biases the lever 109 into latching position.

The other end of the bell crank lever extends through a suitable slot in the frame 104 and is provided with a right angularly turned end 113 which is engageable with the end 70 of the member 63. Thus, by rotating the shank 63 in a counterclockwise direction, the end 70 is guided by the slot 113 into position to engage against an end of the bell crank lever to disengage the same from the locking flange 106. By exerting a forward pull upon the shank 63 in the manner ,described, the outer section 81 of the bench may be pulled forwardly partially out of the recess 30. When in this position, the bench may be readily engaged for withdrawal.

From the foregoing description it should be evident that a single unlatching device may unlatch the two table top sections and this same. member may be also used to unlatch and release one of the bench units. An identical device 115 is provided between the bench recess 29 and the table recess 26 for releasing the bench which is in the recess 29. As the structure employed is identical to that which has been described in conjunction with the bench in the recess 30, with the exception of the fact that the mechanism is reversed, a detail description of this construction has not been given.

As will be evident from Figures 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings, opposed inwardly facing channels 116 are mounted on opposite sides of the table receiving recess 26, these channels extending upwardly to a point substantially even with the tops of the table sections when they are in unfolded position. These channels are arranged with the open side of the channels directed to-. ward the longitudinal center of the table. Sutiable brackets 1 17 are provided which may project beyond the end of the table, these brackets supporting rollers 119. The rollers 119 are engageable in the channels 116 to hold the end of the table confined within the table recess 26 as the table A is being folded and unfolded. If it is desired to disengage the table from the Wall, this may be done by merely raising the inner end of the table until the rollers 119 clear the upper ends of the channels 116 whereupon the table may be moved to any desired location.

Similar channels 120 are mounted on opposite sides of each of the bench receiving recesses 29 and 30. Brackets 121 are mounted on the ends of the benches, these brackets projecting from the inner sections 80 thereof. These brackets 121 support rollers. .122 which are slidable in the channels 120. 'The' engagement between the rollers and the channels is such as to normally confine an end of each bench within its bench receiving recess. However, if it is desired to move the benches to a remote point, this may be done by lifting the connected end of the bench until the rollers clear the upper ends of the channels 120. Obviously, the benches may be again attached in their channels by merely lifting the bench end and engaging the rollers in the channels.

Thus, it will be seen that a wall connected table is provided which may be folded from a horizontal position to a vertical position and it will also be noted that the table is mounted in a suitable recess when in folded position. The inner section is locked to the enclosure by means of the rollers and the engagement of the rollers in the opposed channels on each side of the recess. When the two sections are folded together into parallel relation, the two sections automatically latch together by engagement of the end of the bell crank latching lever 40 with the latching flange 47. As the inner table top section is held in place, the latch operates to also hold the outer section in place. The benches B operate in a similar manner. They may fold from a horizontal position to a parallel vertical position, the inner of the two sections being held in its recess by engagement of the rollers 122 with the channels 120. As soon as the inner and outer sections 80 and 81 assume parallel vertical relation, the latch lever 109 engages the locking flange 106 automatically locking the two sections into parallel vertical relation.

The table sections may be unlatched in the manner described by inserting the handle member 71 into engage- -rnent with the locking shank 63 and rotating this shank in a clockwise direction, This action brings. the end 70 of the shank 63 into engagement with the latch operating lever 52.to disengage the locking lever 40. The adjoining bench B may be disengaged by the same operating handle 71 by rotating this handle in a counter-clockwise direction. 'The remaining bench B may be unlocked by operation of an unlocking mechanism which functions identically to that described with the exception of the fact that it acts to unlock only the bench.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principlesof construction and operation of my improvement in folding tables, and while I have endeavored to set forththe best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a foldable structure of the type described, a support providing a recess, a pair of table top sections comprising an inner section and an outer section, a pivotal connection between said sections to permit said sections to fold from horizontal coplanar position to generally vertical parallel position, said sections being dimensioned in parallelposition to enter and substantially fill said recess, a leg unit connected to each of said sections intermediate the ends thereof, means normally maintaining said leg units in substantially vertical position irrespective of the position of said sections, means pivot-ally connecting the inner sectionwithin said recess, a latch on one of said sections at a point spaced substantially from the pivotal connection between said sections, cooperable means on the other of said sections engageable with said latch as said sections move into vertical parallel relation within said recess to hold said sections within said recess.

2. The construction described in claim 1 and including latch releasing means cooperable with said latch means to release the same.

3. The construction described in claim 1 and including an unlatching lever pivotally connected to one of said. sections and engaging said latch for releasing said latch, said unlatching lever extending laterally of said section.

4. Awall mounted table for use in combination with a table receiving recess in a wall, the table including a pair of table top sections hingedly connected together, one of said sections comprising an inner section and the other section comprising an outer section, means pivotally connecting the end of said inner table top sections within said wall recess, leg units pivotally connected to said sections near the ends thereof opposite the hinged ends, means for maintaining said leg units in substantially vertical position regardless of the position of said sections, a latch mounted on one of said sections on the under surface thereof, a keeper on the other of said sections at a point substantially spaced from the pivotally connected ends of said sections with which said latch is engageable, resilient means normally urging said latch toward latch position, and unlatching means mounted on the undersurface of said one section and extending laterally to a lateral edgeof said one section, and means on said wall adjoining said recess engageable with said unlatching means for actuating the same.

5. The construction described in claim 3 and in which said latch and said unlatching means are both pivotally supported.

6. A wall table unit for use in connection with a wall .recess, the table including inner and outer table top sections, means hingedly connecting said sections for pivotal movement from coplanar horizontal position to generally parallel vertical position, means pivotally and detachably connected connecting the inner section in said wall recess, means holding said table top sections in parallel relation including a keeper on one of said sections and a latch on the other of said sections and engageable with said keeper, lever means connected to said latch and pivotally supported by said other section and operable when actuated to disengage said latch from said keeper, means normally urging said latch into engagement with said keeper, a member pivotally supported by said wall adjoining said recess, and means on said wall mounted member engageable with said lever upon pivotal movement thereof for actuating said lever to disengage said latch.

7. The construction described in claim 6 and in which the pivotal and detachable connection between the inner table section and the wall includes a pair of opposed tracks in said wall recess, means on said inner table section pivotally andslidably supported in said channels, said channels terminating shortly above the level of said means engaged therein when said sections are in horizontal position whereby said inner table section may be disengaged from saidwall by lifting said means engaged in said channels over the upper ends of said channels.

8. The construction described in claim 6 and in which said wall mounted means is slidably supported in said wall whereby outward movement of said wall mounted means may act to move a portion of said table out of said wall recess.

9. A table for use in combination with an enclosure including a table receiving recess, the table including an inner and outer section and means pivotally connecting said sections for movement from a horizontal position to a vertical side by side position, means pivotally connecting the inner of said table sections in said wall recess, a keeper secured to the undersurface of one of said sections, a latch pivotally supported on the other of said sections and engageable with said keeper, resilient means normally urging said latch into engagement with said keeper when said sections are in parallel relation, an operating lever pivotally connected to said other table section and engaging said latch for pivoting the same out of engagement with said keeper, said lever extending laterally of said other section to an edge thereof, a wall mounted means pivotally and slidably supported on said enclosure adjoining said table receiving recess, pivotal movement of said last named means moving the same against said lever to pivot said lever to disengage said latch.

10. A table and bench structure in combination with an enclosure including spaced recesses for containing the table and benches, the structure including a table having inner and outer table top sections hingedly connected together, means pivotally connecting said inner section to said enclosure Within one of said recesses, a leg unit hingedly connected to each section near the end opposite the hinge connection between said sections, means maintaining said leg units in generally vertical relation, said bench including inner and outer bench sections pivotally connected together, means pivotally connecting said inner bench section to said enclosure within the other of said recesses, a keeper connected to one of said table sections, a latch connected to the other of said table sections and engageable with said keeper to hold said table sections in substantially parallel vertical relation, a keeper on one ofsaid bench sections, a latch on the other of said bench sections and engageable with said last named keeper to hold said bench sections in substantially vertical parallel relation, and unlatchingmeans mounted on said enclosure between said recesses and selectively engageable with said latches for actuating the same to disengage them from their respective keepers.

11. The structure of claim 10 and in which said unlatching means is pivotally supported.

12. The structure of claim 10 and in which said unlatching means is pivotally and slidably supported.

13. The structure of claim 10 and in which said unlatching means includes a shank pivotally supported on a plane substantially normal to the plane of the sections when in folded positions, and an arm extending angularly from said shank and swingable selectively into engagement with said latches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,633,423 Talbott June 21, 1927 2,650,146 Mugler Aug. 25, 1933 2,702,585 Wilson Feb. 22, 1955 2,723,890 Erickson Nov. 15, 1955 2,739,860 Wilson Mar. 27, 1956 2,766,089 Nielsen Oct. 9, 1956 2,777,742 Schieber Ian. 15, 1957 2,807,512 Blink Sept. 24, 1957 2,811,400 James Oct. 29, 1957 

